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Improving performance in the preparation and delivery of antineoplastic medications at a community hospital: A simulation study

  • Tao Lu
  • , Shuli Wang
  • , Jingshan Li
  • , Paul Lucas
  • , Mike Anderson
  • , Kay Ross

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)peer-review

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a simulation study to improve the antineoplastic medication preparation and delivery performance at a pharmacy department in a large community hospital. The goal of this work is to help pharmacy reduce patients' average waiting time when receiving chemotherapy. This will be achieved by simulating and analyzing the preparation and delivery procedures to identify process bottlenecks, carry out what-if analysis, predict the impact of improvement effort, and provide recommendations to hospital leadership. Using the simulation model, we discover that by introducing early preparation for the returning patients and dedicating an infusion staff member for medication delivery, patients' waiting time for antineoplastic medications can be reduced substantially. Such improvements do not require additional floor space or significant investment. The recommendation has been accepted by hospital management and implemented in the pharmacy department. The preliminary results have verified the simulation output with the desired improvement predicted by the model.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication61st Annual IIE Conference and Expo Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Industrial Engineers
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event61st Annual Conference and Expo of the Institute of Industrial Engineers - Reno, NV, United States
Duration: 21 May 201125 May 2011

Publication series

Name61st Annual IIE Conference and Expo Proceedings

Conference

Conference61st Annual Conference and Expo of the Institute of Industrial Engineers
PlaceUnited States
CityReno, NV
Period21/05/1125/05/11

Bibliographical note

Publication details (e.g. title, author(s), publication statuses and dates) are captured on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis at the time of record harvesting from the data source. Suggestions for further amendments or supplementary information can be sent to [email protected].

Research Keywords

  • Antineoplastic medications
  • Delivery
  • Pharmacy department
  • Simulation

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